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Author Topic: Dispelling irrational fears :D  (Read 451 times)

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Offline Sylvias

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Dispelling irrational fears :D
« on: January 16, 2009, 10:36:35 PM »
yet again i have converted one of my reptile hating friends into a herp lover :)
this time it was a guy! he surprised me when i found out he was like terrified of snakes so i had been determined to get him to a reptile store for the past few months, finally managed to do it and i seriously regret not having my camera! We started small and i got him to hold some bearded dragons..the easiest thing to work with for people like that, then moved up to a small ball python, he was kinda freaked at first but i held it for a while and showed him it was fine and whast gonna hurt anyone, then let him get the tail end while i still kept the head away until he was comfortable. Then moved up to a large adult cornxking snake and let him handle that for a bit....and then..to my surprise..he asked if he could maybe hold the big 7 ft argentinex columbian boa! I was so proud of him!!! ^.^
I really am beggining to think that most people with irrational fears of these creatures have just never seen them with the right people. he kept asking me if i was nervous or scared and i was just like...no lol why would i be? just staying positive and encouraging and relaxed really helps someone else get over their fears :) talking them through it and talking about the snakes behavior helps as well! I'm so very proud of him! now he actually wants to go back sometime and do it all again to get to know snakes more :)

does anyone else have such stories where they have helped people over come their fears? I like to know that we in the herp community are doing our part to get more people on our side ya know?
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Offline tom_v

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Re: Dispelling irrational fears :D
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2009, 01:19:57 AM »
That is out standing. Sounds like I was, now I am addicted to the critters...lol Great job.
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Offline collins

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Re: Dispelling irrational fears :D
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2009, 05:36:53 AM »
i did that with my god son his parents taught him to hate snakes but i have been working with him since he stays with me and now he begs me to get my albino boa out and he walks around the house with her but i am always right with him just in case but I'm glad hes not going to grow up a snake hater 
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Offline Southern_Boa_Gurl

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Re: Dispelling irrational fears :D
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2009, 08:41:03 AM »
Wow that's awesome guys  :goodjob:
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Offline Southern_Boa_Gurl

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Re: Dispelling irrational fears :D
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2009, 08:44:07 AM »
I've never really gotten anyone over their fear really.  Shelly, my best friend and now roommate, has never really been afraid of reptiles.  She's gone with me to both of the shows that I've been to, always patient and listening/learning though at them too.  She did say at one point that she would like to own something small like a corn snake or a ball python, but now that's kinda down the drain since she's leaving to go into the Air Force soon.  But that's my story somewhat!
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Offline abi21491

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Re: Dispelling irrational fears :D
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2009, 03:40:39 AM »
Great stories guys  :nicethread:

As for me, I've happily converted many people... friends, family, and complete strangers alike. One of my favorite stories took place last summer. My cousin and I decided to take a stroll with some of the snakes, I brought my 7 ft het anery boa and she was carrying my 4 ft Hog island boa. I'm kind of a recluse so I don't know any of my neighbors or community (we moved here Nov 07!) but as we walked down the street heads were popping out everywhere, cars slowing down, kids yelling from all directions "is that real?" Of course most of these people were saying things from behind their screen doors like "That snake's going to kill you!" "Better be careful those are poisonous!" "Are you crazy?!" We live around a lot of older people, which seem to be one of the most superstitious groups. An elderly man stopped us and told us he had seen them on Discovery and he was interested but scared. So while I was letting him pet Oedipus and taught him some stuff, another old man from across the street shouts to his buddy "What are you doing next to a SNAKE?!" Well him and a couple others ended up coming over and while every one of them but one began that day hating snakes, they all walked away liking them and learning something. It is really rewarding to make someone go from "I shoot every snake I see!" to holding and adoring them.

Before it got too cold I had my 10-11 ft albino Burmese wrapped around me while I went outside to check the mail and that quick people were coming up asking questions, so I ended up being stuck outside for almost an hour just to check the mail :P I definitely don't mind though, I love changing people's opinions on our creatures. Like I said before I don't really know anyone around here, but I have gotten knocks on my door just because I'm "that crazy snake girl". I think something that helps in my case at least is that I'm a younger female, and I think when a guy sees how calm I am with the snake, they take to them much easier. I had a guy on my porch wanting to see the snakes and the entire time he kept saying things like "Snakes aren't really a girl thing traditionally, pretty cool to see".

Anyway I better stop there, I've got tons of stories and I'd be going on forever.
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Offline tom_v

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Re: Dispelling irrational fears :D
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2009, 04:01:00 AM »
2 years  ago I would never have even concidered having a snake anywhere near me much lass own one, then there was that pretty young girl come into my life and the next thing you know I have 11 I call mine, and a total of 21 plus all the other critters we have living in our house. I was scared to death of any kind of rodent.. alive or dead.. now I breed them to feed most of the reptile collection. It is truely amazing what a pretty young girl is capable of doing to the older guys. at least some of them anyway..
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Offline abi21491

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Re: Dispelling irrational fears :D
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2009, 04:12:25 AM »
Quote from: tom_v on January 18, 2009, 04:01:00 AM
2 years  ago I would never have even concidered having a snake anywhere near me much lass own one, then there was that pretty young girl come into my life and the next thing you know I have 11 I call mine, and a total of 21 plus all the other critters we have living in our house. I was scared to death of any kind of rodent.. alive or dead.. now I breed them to feed most of the reptile collection. It is truely amazing what a pretty young girl is capable of doing to the older guys. at least some of them anyway..
I'm glad you got over your fear :) and I agree with this statement, lol.
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Offline Southern_Boa_Gurl

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Re: Dispelling irrational fears :D
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2009, 10:54:23 AM »
Quote from: tom_v on January 18, 2009, 04:01:00 AM
2 years  ago I would never have even concidered having a snake anywhere near me much lass own one, then there was that pretty young girl come into my life and the next thing you know I have 11 I call mine, and a total of 21 plus all the other critters we have living in our house. I was scared to death of any kind of rodent.. alive or dead.. now I breed them to feed most of the reptile collection. It is truely amazing what a pretty young girl is capable of doing to the older guys. at least some of them anyway..
Lol, glad that Heather could help you get over your fear!!
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Offline nesser

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Re: Dispelling irrational fears :D
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2009, 06:16:39 PM »
Great stories you guys! I think I have one to....lol... My wiffie used to hate all kinds of cold blooded animals ...etc... I remember the first time I took out a bearded dragon. lmao... Good times! She took off running towards the front door of the house... lol... I made her get over that fear of lizards. But when we got our reticulate python, she also freaked! She started crying... lol... I didnt make her hold it or anything....But the funny thing is that she asked me if she could hold it in like 5min after she had that little freak show! lmao... I guess that people can get over their phobias if they see loved ones or close friends do it!  :nicethread:
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